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3 



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PS 1534 

.D54 F3 OOL &; SOOI^L JD:RJ^l^Ji^, 
Copy 1 

^ /AMILY STRIKE. 



gi Jai[a, 



T. S. DENISON. 



PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, DE KALB, ILL. 



PRICE 20 CENTS. 



CHICAGO : 
Steam Press of Cushing, Thomas & Co., 170 Clark Street. 
1877. 



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A drama in five acts ; 7 male and 4 female characters. 
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A.'capital short farce ; S male characters. 
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A highly amusiiis^ larcc in two acts ; 4 male, and 4 female characters 



A spicy little farce, illustrating " the strike" as applied to the family : 3 male and 
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3 



A FAMILY STRIKE. 



gi Jarc^. 



T. S. DENISON 



Author of '' Odds 'with the Enemy ^'' *'hiitiating a Granger" "Seth Greenbactc^ 
"Wanted: A Correspondent," '' The Sparkling Cup." 



PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, DEKALB, ILL. 






CH IC AGO: 

Steam Press of Gushing, Thomas & Co., 170 Clark Street. 

1877. 

Copyright, 1877, by T. S. Denison. 



P5 l^3f 
, JJ£4 F3 



CHARACTERS, 



Blitzen, Gus Gallivant, 

Mrs Elitzen, ,Wilks Bi.itzen, 

Julia Blitzen, Mary, servant. 



COSTUMES. 



Any clothing suited to the social standing of the wearer. Gu> 
stylish, and fastidiously dressed, 



STAGE DIRECTIONS. 

R means right as the actor faces the audience; L, left; C, centre. 



A FAMILY STRIKE. 



Scene, Mr. B-litz^^'s parlor elegantly furnished. Julia discovered 
seated reading a note. 

Julia. Oh day of days! Can I believe it that this delightful 
Tuesday, October 9th, is the day I have awaited in such suspense? 
Yes it's to-day. ^Looking again at the note.) He says Tuesday. Oh 
[ do wish this day could be as long as the last long month has been 
since I parted from dear Gus at the Springs. But it will not. 
How provoking ! that our joys must be so few and fleeting ! It will 
be as short as those delicious evenings we spent together driving 
and waltzing. How they flew on the wings of — of — yes of love for 
I loved him from the veiy first. Wasn't it romantic to think that 
Gus should be the one to find my card case and return it to me ? Of 
course we had to exchange cards after that, and then I couldn't think 
of being so rude as not to bow to him on the promenade the next 
time we met, and — well — (Sighs) Now he visits the city with his 
uncle. Ah ! I wish he had come without that respected relative, 
for somehow I never could get acquamted with him. Indeed his 
overpo-weringly benevolent look seemed always saying " I pity that 
giddy young thing." I'll have him understand I don't long for pity. 
I despise it. But I'll try and love him for Gus's sake. 

Enter Mrs. B. R. 

Mrs. B. Julia, when do you expect Mr. Gallivant ? 

Julia. At three. They come on the noon train. 

Mrs. B. And his uncle will call with him I suppose ? 

Julia. I believe so. I wish he wouldn't. He wants to get ac- 
quainted with the family. So Gus says. He's a self-appointed 
investigation committee. Oh dear ! What if his decision should 
be unfavorable! 

Mrs. B. Don't fret my dear! I guarantee he'll find few more 
genteel families than this, if Mr. B. behaves himself, and /'// take 
care of him. But my dear, we've not yet got our dresses for Mrs. 
Newfangle's party, we must try strategy on Mr. Blitzen this time. I'll 
send at once and tell Mrs. Gauzeall not to present her bill till we 
decide about the new dresses ; it might influence Mr. Blitzen, you 
know. [Ringing of door bell heard.) 



98 A FAMILY STRIKE 

yulia. Why who can that be ? {Looks oui.) Oh dear I believe 
it is Mr. Shekel, and Gus is not along ! {Excitedly.) There's some 
mistake. His note said at three. What shall we do? 

Airs. B. Keep cool and receive him as if he were expected. It's 
some eccentricity of his. But he'll not catch Mrs, Blitzen napping 
I think. {Goes to door L.) 

Enter WiLKS Blitzen. 

Wilks. Mrs. Blitzen, I presume. 

Mrs. B. {Bowing.) We were not expecting you so soon, but 
our pleasure is all the greater as you can be with us longer. 

Wilks. Oh the pleasure is mutual. {Aside.) Not expecting me. 
Shouldn't wonder, nobody told them I was coming. 

Mrs. B. This is my daughter Julia. I presume you remember her, 

IVi/ks. {Turns to Julia.) Yes, I remember Julia quite well. 
How are you Julia ? I suppose you remember your uncle, although 
it is quite a long time since we met. ( Offers her his hand.) 

Julia. I remember you quite well, though it is some time since 
we met. {Aside.) I'll declai-e, he acts strangely. Calls himself "uncle" 
and me Julia. Its evident that he's agreed. {Aloud.) I'm so glad 
you're come. 

Mrs. B. And we sincerely hope you will enjoy your visit 

Wilis. Thank you. I shall, I'm sure. But first, I want to see Mr. 
Blitzen about some baggage, and then I'm ready to visit. 

A/rs. B. I'm very sorry! He's just stepped over to the next 
street, but will be back in a minute. 

Wilks. Then I'll go out and meet him. I want to surprise him. 

Mrs. B. But you may not be able to find him. I'll send for him, 

Wilks. No, I saw him, I think, as I came in. I shall have no 
difficulty if I wait at the corner. It will be a surprise to hail him on 
the street. {Exit L.) 

Mrs. B. I should say it would surprise anybody. Why, how fa- 
miliar he seems. No reserve at all. Is Gus any thing like his uncle? 

Julia. I didn't use to think so. It's remarkable! He seems so 
sociable now. I guess I was mistaken in him. The fact is, I never 
saw him more than three or four times, and never spoke over a dozen 
words to him. 

Mrs. B. It's very evident that he has made up his mind that 
everything is all right. 

Julia. Well, I hope so, ma. I'd die if he should separate dear Gus 
and me. {Exit JR.) 

Mrs. B. Nonsense ! What sentimental notions girls get into their 
heads to furnish amusement to them when they think of it in after 
years. 

Enter SERVANT L. 

Servant. Mrs. Blitzen, there's a gentlemen at the door enquiring 
for Miss Blitzen. 

Mrs. B. Is he young or old, Mary ? 



A FAMILY STRIKE. 99 

Servant. lie is youngish like, and tall. Looks like he might be a 
clerk. 

Mrs. B. Then tell him Miss Blitzen cr^n not see him to-day. 
{Exit servant L.) 

Mrs. B. These duns are a frightful bore. Why can't people wait ? 

Enter Servant L. 

Servant. He says he must come in — that he had an appointment. 

Mrs. B. Then tell him to come in, I'll soon dispose of him. 
{Exit servant L. Returns shotvzng rn Gzts.) 

Mrs. B. {Frigidly.) Did you wish to see me, sir? 

Gus. {Hesitating.) Well, yes, madam ; though I called to see 
Miss Bhtzen. 

Mrs. B. She is not in sir. Besides / attend to all such affairs. 

Gus. {Aside.) The deuce you do ! {Aloud.) Madam, there must 
be some mistake ! 

Mrs. B. {Stiffly.) None at all, sir, 

Gus. But Miss Julia knows thft I intended to call to-day. 

Mrs. B. Sir, I told you / attend to those matters, 

Gus. Those matters ! {Aside.) Thunder ! I wonder if they 
have many such affairs. 

Mrs. B. You must come to-morrow. {Aside.) It will never do 
for Mr Blitzen to see that bill for those silks. 

Gus. Hang it! {Aside.) This is deuced queer conduct for one's 
intended mother-in-law. I'll try again. {Aloud,) Madam, there 
must be something 

Mi'S. B. Nothing of the kind. Young man, I said you could call 
to morrow. {Aside) I wish he'd go. Mr. Blitzen may come at any 
moment. 

Gus. {Aside.) By George she can't play that on me, {Aloud.) 
Madam, may I see you this afternoon? You.l presume, are Mrs. 
Blitzen. Can I have an interview with you. 

Airs. B. {Desperately.) Yes yes, {Aside.) Anything to get 
rid of him. Go ! Go at once. Don't let Mr. Blitzen see you. 

Gus. {Aside.) Oh tkafs it. The old man's been cutting up 
about it. {Aloud.) Very well, madam, I'll call this afternoon, 

Mrs. B. Good day. 

Gus. Good day. {Bowi and exits L. Airs. B. exit R.) 

Enter Blitzen R, seats himself, picks tip paper. 

Blitzen. {Reading.) Elmira, July 25. All trains are stopped 
on the Erie road. The strikers are in force, and threaten violence 
at Hornellsville. The Brooklyn troops are moving west cautiously. 
Strikers are tearing up the track in advance of the train. Chicago, 
July 25. Everything is quiet here so far, but serious trouble is 
threatened, 400 regulars arrived to-day. 

London, July 24, 2 p. m. The American strikes and riots are creat- 
ing a profound sensation throughout Europe. Creating a sensation ! 
{Drops paper.) Of course they will. Capital was uneasy enough 



loo A FAMILY STRIKE. 

before. Now it's insane. Blow it ! I believe I'd sell my " Centrals " 
at 75 and turn them into 4 per cents. Hanged if it don't look as if 
a man with money wasn't safe now-a-days. He's taxed to death ; 
bled for all sorts of sham enterprises; called mean and lacking in 
public spirit if he don't subscribe freely; and then dubbed a "big-bug" 
or an " old aristocrat " for his pains. "Big-bug." That means he is 
a conspicuous prey for every ravenous old gobbler that comes 
along in the shape of a public enterprise. Hang enterprise ! {Enter 
Wilks L.) Give me the old fashioned stage coach. It never struck. 

Wilks. And the highwayman declared a monthly dividend of 
100 per cent plus your valuables. Tut ! tut ! man you never saw a 
stage coach. 

Blitzcn. Who the deuce are you ? "Wilks Blitzen, by Jove! Why, 
brother, how are you? {Cordially shakes hands.') When did you 
come ? Have a seat. ( Gives Wilks easy chair) Give an account 
of yourself, old fellow. 

Wilks. Well, I am here on a visit of several days. 

Blitzen. Good ! Wife along ? 

Wilks. No. 

Blitzen. Good again ! We'll enjoy ourselves. 

Wilks. What do you mean ? I enjoy myself with my wife better 
than in anybody else's society. 

Blitzen. Fudge ! [Aside.) Wait till you get a second wife, 

Wilks. I beg your pardon, Walter. Really I had forgotten that 
I had not seen you since your mariage. Allow me to congratulate 
you. She seems a very pleasant lady 

Blitzen. Ah, thank you! {Aside.) I need consolation worse. 
{Aloud.) So you've met my wife ? But where in the world, pray? 

Wilks. Here, in this room. I just stepped out to meet you, but 
missed you entirely. Your wife and daughter gave me such a 
cordial reception, that I am surprised you are not happy with two such 
charming women. 

Blitzen. Wilks, happiness is a grand humbug. 

Wilks. Ha! ha! Not much, it ain't. There are no blanks 
drawn in life's lottery. If you don't draw an opera-house, you may 
draw an elephant. 

Blitzen. An elephant ! Now you've hit it. An elephant, whose 
trunk is a confounded Saratoga, filled with flummerj' and nonsense. 

Wilks. Walter, don't talk about those things. How's Julia ? 

Blitzen. Ah, that's the trouble. {Sadly.) I could stand the other, 
but Julia, sweet girl ! She is following in the wake of her worthy 
step- mother. It's dress, and balls, and parties, and receptions, and 
style till my very head is turned. I hear nothing else. Lord bless 
me, I dont know the names of the things on my dinner table any 
more. We talk French entirely. Wc parley voo. Devil take the 
parley. { Voice heard outside R, calling, Mr. Blitzen I Mr. Blitzen !) 
Hear that ! They're calling me, I'm their slave ! I'm liable to duty 
any hour of the day or night. They want money ; or they want to 
consult about some useless article they've set their mind on ; or they're 
diving into some infernal expense. 



A FAMILY STRIKE, loi 

WilJis. Keep cool Walter. Keep cool. 

Blitzen. {yufuping up exciiedly.) It's true, I'm a ruined man. 
If this thing keeps up, I'll go into bankruptcy, {Voices heard again, 
louder than before.^ I wish / could strike. It would do me good. 

Wilks. I wish you could, too. Strike a bonanza, for instance, in 
our Colorado mine. Have you had any news from our investments 
in the mines? 

Blitzen. Not a line. But I shall hear by to-day's mail, and I feel 
confident it will be good news. Our superintendent felt sure we 
should strike a rich lead, 

Wilks. And that will be a strike of the right kind. It's not half 
so risky as the one you contemplated a few moments ago. 

Blitzen. Why didn't you bring John along ? I should like to see 
my nephew again. 

Wilks. That reminds me that he stopped to greet an old chum at 
the corner store, and has forgotten to come. They'll talk all day, 
unless something's done. I'll run down and hurry him up. 

Blitzen. Do, and don't forget to hurry yourself up, too. We'll 
have you some dinner in a few minutes. 

Wilks. I shall not be gone long. Don't inaugurate that strike. 
Try moral suasion. Call out your reserves, {Exit L.) 

Blitzen. Try the reserves ! That's a good idea. There's a good 
deal of unadulterated cussedness stored up in Walt. Blitzen, and I'll see 
what that will effect. If a crisis must be preci'\ated, I hope it will 
be a ten strike. 

Enter a Servant with a note which Blitzen reads. 

Mr. Blitzen, Dear Sir-. Let us respectfully call your attention 
to the enclosed bill. The account has been running over one month, 
and you will excuse our presenting it now, as times are so very close, 
etc., etc. 

Another bill from that confounded milliner! I paid a large one 
a few weeks ago, so this can't be very heavy. {Unfolds a preposterously 
long bill. Reads items.) One hat, with pompon aigrettes, $50. 
Fifty dollars for a hat! What on earth is a pompon aigrette? 12 
yds. torchon lace, (5> ^10 per yd., $120. One Jabot, ^25. One 
Jabbit ! Humph! I'd like to know where they wear that? One 
collar, Swiss medallions, ^15. Blow me, if there isn't one article I 
know the name of. Fifteen dollars. That keep me in collars five years. 
Iwon'tpiyit! P II not. They can't come that any more. I won't 
be bankrupted by fashion and milliners ! The milliners may go to 
Halifax. There's need of a strike right here at home. I'll strike, 
too. If the iron ain't hot, I'll make it hot. {Brings down his fst with 
a tremendous thump on the table.) 

Enter Juli.\ Blitzen. R. 

Julia. Pa, did you hear ma call? {No answer.) It is only three 
weeks till Mrs. Newfangle's party, and you know we must go. 
We shall be expected. 



ro2 A FAMILY STRIKE. 

Blitzen. {Savagely.) Well, who said you couldn't, go? 

Julia. Why, Pa ! What ails you, to day? 

Blitzen. {Excitedly.) Parties ail me! Fashion ails me! Mil- 
liner's and dressmaker's bills ail me ! Flummery ails me ! What 
in time else do you want to attack me, for Heaven's sake? 

Julia. Pa! Pa! You surprise me. You are not well. Dont 
make yourself uneasy. You are nervous. 

Blitzen. Nervous? Pm not nei-vous. But it would shock the 
nervous system of a mummy to attend all these parties and doings, 
I'm not going. 

Julia. But the Newfangles will be offended if we absent ourselves. 

Blitzen. Go! Go! If you want to. 

Julia. Pa, ma and I will be so sorry to go without you. You 
remember you promised to go ; and besides, I was to have a new dress 
Specially for that occasion. Remember that, pa. 

Blitzen. Wear one of the dresses you've got. 

Julia. Why pa, I'm shocked ! At this, the most select reception 
of the season, all the ladies will appear in new dresses, prepared 
specially for the occasion. 

Blitzen. Your mother called a dress new till she'd had it a year 

Enter Mrs. B. R, 

Julia. Ma, he refuses to get my new dress. I can't go. 

Mrs. B. Then, of course, he will refuse mine, too. Oh dear, you 
want us to be shabby and unworthy of you. 

Blitzen. Good gracious ! Has it come to this pass, that silks and 
taces are necessary to make a man's family respectable and worthy of 
flim ? If It has, I'll leave the country at once. 

Mrs. B Of course not to make us unworthy of you. I meant our 
friends. What will thev say? 

Blitzen. Let them say what they please. I don't see any thing 
especially worthy about the Newfangles. Newfangle got his money 
by swindling m army contracts. 

Mrs. B. Don't speak so, dear. Mrs. Newfangle is such a nice 
woman. Think of her, she'll be so grieved. Can't we have the dresses ? 
It's only a trifle, you know? 

Blitzen. If she gets mad over that, let her get mad, that's all. 

Mrs. B. But it's such a small matter, compared with our circum- 
stances. 

Blitzen. Only a trifle Look at that. {Seizes hill from the table 
and presents it to Mrs. B.) Do you call that a trifle? I'll i-e ruined 
j trifles. 

Mrs.B. {Aside to Julia.) How unfortunate that it should come 
in just now. 

Mrs. B. Mr. Blitzen, possibly you may remember that when we 
were engaged, I spoke of the social position we were to occupy. You 
know I'm fond of society. That was understood, wasn't it? 

Blitzen. Never fully understood till the present moment. 

Mrs. B. You wished some one to bring your daughter out 



A FAMILY STRIKE. 103 

Blitzen. And you've done it, with a vengance. 

Mrs. B. Yes; I've made an accomplished lady of hei. {B. 
groans.) I had some money, too. You may remember that ? 

Blitzen. I do. (Asz'de.) She's spent three times the amount. 
(Aloud.) But I tell you I can't afford it. Times have changed. 1 
have an expensive lawsuit on hand. 

Mrs. B. Which you and Mr. Noodle will win. Mr. Noodle is 
positive But, my dear, let us not talk about the lawsuit now. You 
know Mr. Gallivant is coming to-day. 

Blitzen. Don't mention that Gallivant, never again. I forever heai 
his name. Julia is eternally raving about Gallivant ! Gallivant ! 

Julia. Oh pa, you are prejudiced against poor Augustus. 

Blitzen. As I am against monkeys, and other like pests. 

Mrs B. Mr. Blitzen you are worrying over some trouble. Now I 
have it ! It's the strike. That will soon be settled. It can't effect 
your securities, 

BUtzcn. The strike ! You've guessed it, at last. I say it wdl effect 
us. It must. In fact I've struck. 

Mrs. B. You've struck? What do you mean? 

Blitzen. I mean, I've taken the most decided step of my life. I 
can't stand this eternal worry. I've struck to end it. 

Mrs. B. Mercy on us ! He's struck! He's ended it ! Juha ,dear, 
he's compromised in the lawsuit, as he has often threatened,and ruined 
us. ( Wringing her hands.) We're ruined. 

Julia. Oh pa! How could you have the heart to do such a 
thing, and ruin your family ? And poor Gus ! His uncle may object 
if you should fail to establish the justice of your clanii in the case. 
Oh dear ! ( Wringing her hands.) I'm undone. 

Blitzen. Oh ! So I've raised a deuce of a breeze \ 

Mrs. B. Heartless! {Sobbing.) 

Julia. Cruel, cruel, parent ! ( They turn to R and L sobbing.) 

Blitzen. That was a ten strike for a chance shot. (Aside.) I » 
play that as long as it will wm. They've worried me enough. 
Enter Wilks L. 
Wilks. (Pauses. Aside.) Here's a time of it. (To Blitzen.) 
You failed to take my advice, and you see the result. 

Mrs. B. Dear me, and you, too, advised him against this fatal step. 
Wilks. I did madam. . 

Mrs, B. But he will hear no advice. Rash man. It is suicidal. 
( To Wilks.) Of course we know your conclusion. 
Julia. And it is cruel to others who are innocent. 
Wilkes. (Aside.) What the nation has the conclusion of a man 
who has spent ten years among the savages of Colorado, to do with it ? 

Blitzen. (Aside.) Yes, to Gus— one of Darwin's links. (Aloud.) 
You mean young Gallivant I suppose. If his uncle can't take care ot 
him, he had better send him to an asylum. 

Mrs.B. Mr. Blitzen! How shockingly rude. 

Enter Gus L. Julia rushes into his arms, he kisses her. 

(Gus.) Dear Julia, we arrived one train sooner than I expected. 



I04 A FAMILY STRIKE. 

Blitzen. (Mistakes Gus for his nephew.) Why, how are you my 
boy. You are always welcome in this house. [Shakes hands 
cordially.) 

Gus. Fm quite well, thank you. How are you, sir? 

Blitzen. First rate, first rate, my boy ! 

Gus. {Aside to Julia.) Ah dearest Julia, your father has relented. 
He must have found out something favorable to me. But your mother? 

Julia. (Aside.) Pa surprises me, (Aloud.) Let me introduce 
you to ma, Mr. Gallivant. 

Gus. Happy to meet you, Mrs Blitzen. {They bow and shake 
hands.) 

Mrs. B. I am glad to welcome you here. {Aside.) Dear me ! 
What a stupid blunder I made to-day. 

Blitzen. {To Wilks.) How fond the young folks are of each 
other. She calls him her j^a//a«/ just as she used to do, wife. I'm 
glad they have not forgotten old times. 

Julia. (Aside.) What does pa mean ? 

Wilks. It seems they are mindful of former meetings. (Aside.) 
Another mistake. I'll wait for developements. 

Gus. (Aloud.) My dear sir, I shall never forget those days. 
(Aside to Julia.) He has consented then. 

Julia. {Aside to Gus.) He must have been impressed by your 
appearance. {Aloud ) Pa, it is strange — (Hesitating.) I mean — 

Blitzen. Strange ! What's strange, Julia? 

Mrs. B. Your conduct and actions, Mr. Blitzen, 

Blitzen. Nothing strange about it, if you refer to what passed a 
few minutes ago, I^ve struck, that's all. As I'm the head of this 
family, the family has struck. 

Airs. B. Then you mean to say, you've ruined us ! 

Wilks. No, made your fortune. 

Mrs. B. {Starting hopefully.) Ah, indeed ! Then you consent? 

Wilks. Madam, I dont understand you. I have consented to 
nothing, I assure you. (To Blitzen.) Good. We'll pile up the dust. 

Blitzen. That we will. 

Mrs. B. What can he mean by piling up the dust? {To Gus.) 
Will you please explain what your uncle means by his strange 
conduct? He and Mr. Blitzen seem to understand each other, but 
for the life of me I can't fathom their meaning. 

Gus. I was not aware that uncle had yet conferred with Mr. Blitzen. 

Blitzen. We have, though, and its all right. He objected, but that 
made no difference. He'll come round sometime to see things as I do. 

Gus. The deuce he did ! 

Wilks. His uncle ! What has he to do with silver mining ? 
Didn't you get news from Colorado? 

Blitzen. No. 

Wilks. Then we are not millionaires ? 

Blitzen. Not that I know of. 

Wilks. You said we had struck. 

Blitzen. I said / had struck. 

Wilks. Concern it, why did you raise a fellow's hopes only to dash 
them to the ground ! I thought you were talking of silver mmes. 



A FAMILY STRIKE. 



105 



Mrs. B. Silver mines ! Strikes ! {Olances around) Objections 
and agreements! Mr. Blitzen, are you crazy? 

Blitzen. Not a bit of it, I never was saner in my life. 

Gtis. I doubt that, if you say you have consulted with my uncle, 
for he was at his hotel half an hour ago, and I am confident he never 
saw you in his life. 

Blitzen. {Astonished.) Never saw me.'* Why, who are you, any- 
way ? Wilks, isn't this your son John? 

Wtlks. I never saw him in my life ! 

Blitzen. You haven't. Then who are you ? {To Gus.) 

Gus. I am Augustus Gallivant. I came here to see your daughter 
Julia. 

Blitzen. The devil you say ! {Dances around frantically.) 
W hat have I done? I've actually shaken hands with that fellow, 
called him nephew, and played the dunce generally. 

Mrs. B. You are right, M. B., when you say played the dunce. 
That's the only pertinent sentiment you've given utterance to in the 
last half hour. 

Julia. Dear pa, what did you mean when you said you had made 
an agreement with dear Gus's uncle ? 

Blitzen. Mean? I said no such thing. 

Mrs B. And did you mean nothing in regard to compromising 
the lawsuit ? 

Blitzen. I compromised no lawsuit. 

Mrs. B. Then, pray, what did you mean? 

Blitzen. I meant that I'll stand no more of this confounded expense 
for toggery and nonsense that's of no use under the sun to anybody. 

Mrs. B, And all this fuss is about t7uo netv dresses. 

Blitzen. Exactly. 

Mrs. B. x\nd you have raised all this disturbance about paltry 
matter of expense for the clothing of your wife and daughter ? 

Blitzen. There was a last straw that broke — 

Mrs. B. Mr. Blitzen ! 

Julia. Pa! 

Blitzen. Yes, that broke Mr Blitzen; 

Enter Servant with tek^ram. Mr. B. opens it and reads, 
shouts ''hjirrah,'' grasps WiLKS l>y the hand. 

Blitzen, {Reads aloud.) "Have struck a bonanza. Blitzen 
Brothers control the mine." 

IVilks Good! Good! 

Mrs. B. We were always lucky. 

Julia. That's just splendid ! Isn't it, Gus? 

Gus. Allow me to congratulate you on your good luck, Mr. 
Blitzen. 

Blitzen. Thank you. I think I owe you an apology, Mr. Gal'ivant. 
I have not given you a fair chance by judging you, unheard. 

Julia. Pa can't help but like you, Gus. Can you pa ? 



io6 A FAMILY STRIKE. 

Blitzen. Well I'm about of your mind, Julia. I waive all object- 
ions, and consent. 

g-«//^. I Oh thank you! 

BUtzen. No thanks necessary. {Aside.) I'll save money by it 
in the end. Mrs. Blitzen, you may conside- this strike ended uncondi- 
rionally. 

Mrs. B. Happy to do so, but you must come down handsomely 
by way of forfeits. Don't say no. It's settled. 

Blitzen. All right, my dear. I'll run this family as long as I can 
on a silver mine, and then — 

Wilks You will strike again. 

Blitzen. No, lease a gold mine. 



CURTAIN. 




KINSEY'S DEBATER, 

DESIGNED FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS OF ALL GRADES, AND 

A GUIDE FOR INSTITUTES AND 

BUSINESS MEETINGS. 



This Manual of Parliamentary Usages is pronounced by the reviewers 
to be " the most practical one now published." 

It avoids all technicalities. 

It is carefully indexed. 

It is thoroughly classified. 

The reader can find, in a moment's time, full directions and exam- 
ples as to "motions," "duties of officers," "work of committees," 
etc. 

At the close of each chapter, the points made in that chapter are 
exemplified by a representation of a meeting, having its officers in full 
working order, moving, discussing and voting upon questions exactly 
as they occur in any actually existing organization. 

Every teacher needs the book for use in the Institute or Business 
Meeting. 

Every school-boy should have one. Webster, Greeley, Clay, Sum- 
ner, and indeed all our great men, have attributed their success to 
their interest in early life in Debating Clubs and Parliamentary 
usages. 

Every reader of a newspaper needs a manual of this kind for refer- 
ence, else he cannot follow clearly the workings of our legislative 
assemblies. 



TJESTIlvHOn^I-A-IiS. 



The " Normal Debater " is recommended as a ver^'^ excellent Manual upon 
Debating. — New York Tribune. 

This work is of an exceedingly practical character, and has evidently been 
written by one who has had experience in arranging and conducting debating 
societies. The difiicult points arc elaborated with much care, and many illustrations 
or examples are given of the correct method of conducting business. We heartily 
commend it. — Cliica'go Teacher. 

It ought to meet with a large sale, as there are hundreds of young men who are 
eager to get the instruction its pages contain. — Neiv York School journal. 

Single copies 75c., post-paid. Six copies at 50c. each, post-paid. 

Address 

O. p. KINSEY, Lebanon, O- 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 

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016 112 390 



